Wednesday, July 29, 2009

McGillin's Turns 150!

If I were around this weekend, I'd love to hop on the McGillin's bus and join them in kicking off their 150th Anniversary celebration...which, well, actually occurs next year. They figure there's no time like t minus 150 days to get the party started. Sometimes it feels like McGillin's has been around forever, that 150 seems, well, kind of young! So many memories...such good memories of years gone by at McGillin's.
Here is the cliff notes version of some of the highlights leading up to 150 years on Drury Lane.
- August 1st: for $20, have breakfast, take a bus ride from center city Philadelphia to Adamstown to pick up some of the Stoudt's-brewed anniversary beer, McGillin's 1860 IPA. Bring it back on said bus, and continue the partying at McGillin's. Stoudt's already brews McGillin’s Real Ale and McGillin’s Genuine Lager for the house.
- August 4th: Party-of-a-Century-And-A-Half includes a Don Russell book reading and signing and a ceremonial keg tapping by Abraham Lincoln (this should be a welcome deviation from the usual Ben Franklin keg tappings and sightings!) There'll be countdown clocks and prizes to keep the party going late into the night.
- August 11th: Lew Bryson shows up to do a book signing and meet 'n' greet (though, with his baritone, he should do a reading too, right?)
- August 25th: American crime novelist Duane Swierczynski will show up with books and discussions about his book that features a bar inspired by McGillin's.
- September 1st: New York Times bestselling author William Lashner will read from Blood & Bones
- September 8th: Dr. Lewis Losoncy, motivational psychologist and the Dr. of Encouragement, will read from Early Poppers: The Secrets of Self-Starters. Dr. Lew cites long-time McGillin's employee, John Doyle, as an example of a superstar of customer service.